By Jackson RobertsShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberIf Sunday's reported blockbuster proved anything, it's that the New York Mets aren't afraid to shake things up this winter.
Though the deal cannot be made official until it's approved by Major League Baseball, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Sunday that the Mets agreed to trade outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien. The move seems to be part of a larger signal that sentimentality (Nimmo was the Mets organization's longest-tenured player) won't dictate how they do business this winter.
If the Mets were willing to let Nimmo walk while he was still under contract for the next five years, what does that mean for free agents Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz?
...On the second point, the Mets have been confirmed to be negotiating specifics of a potential new deal with their three-time All-Star closer, and there's potential for the situation to reach an impasse.
On Sunday, The Athletic's Will Sammon reported that the two sides were reasonably far apart on the number of years Díaz should get, and New York has possible contingencies in place for the event their longtime close walks away from the table.
"Contract length is a sticking point in talks between Díaz and the Mets, league sources said," wrote Sammon. "Díaz, who is entering his age-32 season, wants the same kind of deal he signed with the Mets in November 2022, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal previously reported: five years, $102 million. Meanwhile, the Mets are inclined to prefer something shorter, perhaps three years.
"If the Mets and Díaz fail to reach an agreement, the expectation is for New York to more aggressively pursue free-agent relievers Devin Williams and Robert Suarez. Both pitchers are widely considered to be the next-best options in the closer market behind Díaz. The Mets have contacted the camps for Suarez and Williams multiple times recently, league sources said."
Williams and Suarez are both two-time All-Stars, but this past season, Díaz was vastly superior to both, pitching to a sterling 1.63 ERA and striking out 98 batters in 66 1/3 innings. Yet, spending significantly more long-term money on one closer compared to the alternatives on the market could wind up leaving the Mets financially hamstrung.
There are no easy calls to make when coming off a season as disappointing as the one the Mets just had. But soon enough, the calls will need to be finalized regardless.
More MLB: Phillies Projected to Replace Alec Bohm with $171M Red Sox All-Star
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